Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 24.djvu/335

 Diary of Rev. George Gary — III 313 the morning on our return and get to the Columbia river soon as possible for breakfast where there is water enough and to spare. Our evening is by no means com- fortable; with a cold fierce wind blowing upon us, cov- ered with dust and no very small proportion of it in our eyes and throats; without fire and without water — but we pass the night as well as we can. Thursday, 21. Early we are on the way in our back track; and at about nine o'clock, we reach the Columbia River, where the old trail and wagon road intersect each other; here our thirsty horses drink and their thirsty and dusty riders drink and wash, having neither drank nor washed for more than twenty four hours. Now we realize some of the luxuries of water. After taking our breakfast and dinner both in one meal, I start on foot for the Dechutes river, leaving the company to pick up and pack up and follow on. While walking this distance, which is about three miles, I came across a rattle snake, a large one, and as I could not find any stick or stones until I had passed from him a few rods, while I was thus preparing for the attack, he hid away in the grass, so the venomous serpent and myself passed each other without molestation. I arrived at the Dechutes river about % of an hour before the company came up ; saw an Indian on the opposite side of the river. I hallooed for a canoe ; he had to go two miles perhaps for it, and in due season came with one and helped us over the river. We again packed and started on our way, and rode say four miles and put up for the night, in a very pleasant place with a fine brook running near us. Friday, 22. Being weary, we take it leasurely and after finishing up our morning affairs we start for home (that is, the mission premises at the Dalls). We arrive about one o'clock p. m., not having been gone quite three times twenty four hours — a fatiguing and trying trip — like great cry and little wool — I suppose we have been about 25 miles in the route to Dr. Whitman's, but